Battle Creek officials fighting to keep Kellogg jobs

6:46 PM, February 20, 2014

By Jennifer Bowman

Gannett Michigan

BATTLE CREEK — Local leaders who voiced opposition to Kellogg’s decision to open a Grand Rapids-area call center and move perhaps 600 jobs said data the company relied on from a consultant was inaccurate and there’s no reason why Battle Creek should not be home to the new center.

“There’s some difference of opinion as to the conclusion reached by the data that Kellogg Company got as far as starting this call center in Cascade Township and other data that’s out there,” said Joe Schwarz, former Battle Creek mayor and congressman.

Local economic development officials said they will likely compile data over the next week to compare with data used by Kellogg. The company used an independent consultant “experienced in creating successful service centers for global companies” to compare Battle Creek with eight other potential locations, Kellogg said Tuesday.

Kellogg announced last week it would open the regional business services center, affecting finance, information technology, supply chain and human resources positions.

The new facility is part of a four-year restructuring program, dubbed Project K, that includes cutting 7% of its global workforce.

Kellogg is the city’s top employer, according to economic development group Battle Creek Unlimited, with about 2,300 workers. It has rivaled Denso Manufacturing Michigan, which has 2,150 employees, for the top spot in recent years.

Jennifer Bowman is a reporter for the Battle Creek Enquirer. Contact her: 269-966-0589.